Rogue landlord fined £35,000 over unlicensed HMO

A rogue landlord has been fined £35,000 by St Helens Borough Council over an unlicensed HMO.

The landlord was responsible for the management of a HMO, home to five people, but did not have the required licence.

Despite repeated attempts by the council's Housing Standards team to encourage the unnamed landlord to apply and address management issues, they failed to do so.

The end fine included a £10,000 penalty for operating an HMO without a licence and a £25,000 penalty for breaches of HMO Management Regulations.

The council became aware of the property through investigations of licensable HMOs in the borough by the Housing Standards team.

The landlord has a 28-day period to appeal against the civil penalty notices, in which case the notices will be suspended until determination by tribunal.

The council recently approved a new Housing Enforcement Policy and Civil Financial Penalty Policy.

"In this case, the landlord was given every opportunity to apply for the statutory licence but failed to do so,” said councillor Sharon Roughley, deputy council leader and cabinet member stronger communities at St Helens Borough Council.

“We were left no option but to take firm enforcement action.

"We hope the result of this case demonstrates our commitment to delivering higher housing standards and protecting residents from rogue HMO landlords.”